Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-09-02
My Cousin Dorothy.


built IL is huge stone pie, with steep
gothic roo, picturesque gables, and long, mar
row doors quantity adorned, and now mellow
ed with the softeuing tints OF years. About
II rise great age crowned oak, green in sum
mer, russell IN autumn; aud in the thick grass
Wild flowers bloom abundantly. for the soil is
still virgin
As family, the l.yntons have always been
much respected, for around them yet fingers
faint and indescribsble charm OF od-time
distinction, which seems quite indcpe ndent Of
ordinary circumstances in life.
Roderfck LINTON has become 30 entirely
Injured 10 his SOLITARY existence that no one
dreamed Of any other condition as at all posi-
BILE for him. lie was Already a middle aged
man, when, CHANGING 10 meet blue-eyed mite
OF woman and quite losing his heart, he mar
red her, his own, and also my, cousin Doro-
thy.
Ever since was so small that my head just
showed itself above the wheat fields that used
TO creep almost mp to the house on its south.
ern side, until now, woman grown, l look
back upon il all, aud my cousin Dorothy's
beautiful home has possessed for me, change.
less fascination. And with her, whose special
pet and prOtege i have been, much OF my
young aud quiet life was passed. Indeed my
own home, which is In a busy and opulent city
lying east Of and rather remote from drowsy
Ernsci6, has never so powerfully attracted
my Interest as has this abode Of my cousins,
and think nav stepmother, in the midst of
her growing and roilicking family has kindly
rejoced in the fortunate circumstances which
SO frequently made mo the guest Of the Lyn-
tons.
Between their house and the village flows a
broad stream, which breaks in a superb cas-.
cade over high ledge of messy rocks, and
falls with dull murnur into white, spongy
foam under the windows of q tall mill leaning
above II. On It's western bank out OF embow-
erng trees, peeps the pretty village, beyond
which the ground, gently rising swells at last
into softly rounded hills The massive stone
Gridge arching the stream lend. touch OF
antique effect, that apparently removes Ems
sliff from the company OF its busy compeers,
and makes IL seem rather medieval than
American. Yet Ernsclif is daughter OF
lovely Iowa, whose veths thrill with the breezy
life Of the West and whose soul is filed with
the resstless force OF the Nineteenth Cen
turs.
The house Of Rpiercs Lynton. the eYtrav-
agant freak OF MI elderly brother from whom
1t descended 10 him, IL large roony, and,
since nv cousin Dorothy h chidlcss lily suit
ed 20 the use OF two people growing old TO
getser. Its numerous and spacious apart
meats have extremely high seiling. the long,
narrow windows are mullouel aud the stair
way leadng ~ the third story, IN which tho
rooms, though quite unfurushed, are kept
taultlessiy clean. The most mysterious aud
delightful 81 e!osets dark, and osken, are
hidden away in doors OF massive osk. OF
oak, too, are the wide unexpected places all
over the house, and were once the dear Terra
Ipcognna' Of nay childhood.
Slow, even ungsinly In his movements, largo
and not handsome, Mr.. Lynton has the softest
dark ewes and the tenderest heart have ever
found in thc possession OF q man, and Ia his
view tbs most beautiful the most precious of
earthly gifts Ia his wife, 81 small and trim
that she APPEAR. almost doll-lke.
How shall paint her, nv cousin Doruthy !
Blue-essd, rosy, with long, light brown hair
s0iIed p.sin- round her head, warm impetu.
Gus, devoted. ~ heart n perpetual fountain OF
hove, but reryersey bubbling over at lip with
tiny VACATIONS and harmless and evaneseent
bursts 81 anger that served 10 smuse those Who
loved her or Southern birth, she had the
inbred instincts and The Inherited traditions
of hex race. Though she was most deyotedly
attached to her husband she was ITO woman
" To tyrsnniZe over him. Contrasts ia all
other respects, they were likewise Of differing
political and religion. views. For while
my cousin Dorothy was stern and unyield-
ing PRESBYTERIAN, she was faithful advocate
OF Democratic doctrines But Rodcrlck, her
l.. 4
aud known in Colonial days was an admirer
of the rites and ceremonies Of the Episcopal
faith and most ardent believer ia what WAS
ibcn beginning to be called abolitionlsm But
TO the credit OF both must add that each too
sincerely respected the other 10 permit the Sc
differences in the faintest degree to obtrude
themselves extensively.
/ was not quite sixteen when | spent in
Ernscliff that summer which stands out in my
memory az nothing else can ever do. The
great Rebellion was sweeping over the land,
and even Ernsclifr, though remote from its
central strength. listened with leaplng heart
10 the story Of the war. | could hardly un-
derstand the import OF i: all but, as became a
loyal Iowan, followed with intense interest
the fortunes OF the boys in blue.
had reached the village early in the morn
ing, but, unable 10 resist the murmur OF the
tumbling waterfall had spent much Of the
day in certain well remembered rambles.
Here nv dear" said my cousin, as she
went lightly before ME that night as was
about TO retire. Il think you must make a lit
tie change this time in your room"
"But would like my dear old snugger V
best Cousin" began.
"Marjorie" she answered, opening the door
OF room as she spoke. ~ am having some
repairs made in your old chamber. You need
not mind being so far from US. Catherine
sleeps Just across the hall You are not timid,
dearr'
"Of course not, Cousin Dorothy; what has
any one to fear at ErnscliT!'
She gave a little sigh, and, holding up her
candle, critically surveyed the room.
"lts sweet and fresh as ewmown hay" /
said. For her housewifery was Of the dalnti
est, always
She laid her smooth cheek 10 mine, pstting
nv hand gently as she did so.
III think you might lock your door" she
said. with nervousness quite rare in her.